Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-08-10
TOR Thu DEMOCRACY OF VIRGINIA
HOMO HIN S. BoUR
Opens the Deliberations with speech
Dr.: S. iH.l.MOfett, Temporary. and Hon.
John GO0de. Permanent President.
DANIEL, GOODE, MASSEY, STAPLES,
HARRIS, AND OTHERS SPEAK.
The PLATFORM STANDS ON THE
RIDDLEBERGER SETTLEMENT

Seven hundred representative Democrats
from all parts of the State assembled in
convention, at Roanoke on the 4th instant.
Hon. John s. Barbour, Chairman of the
State Committee, called the body to order.
When Mr.. Barbour appeared he was
greeted with deafening cheers. He thank
ed the convention, and apologized for read
ing his views as Chairman of the State Elk
ecutiye Committee. He referred delicately
to the reasons which lead to this action,
viz: Family bereavement. His remarks
were very pointed and as follows:
MR.. BARBoUR's SPEECH.
1t becomes my duty as Chairman OF the
Democratic State Central and Executive
Committee to call you to order and to SUBJ
NIT the usual initiatory motion Tor the Or
ganization of the convention by the appoint
ment Of a temporary chairman OF the oody.
But before making a motion to that effect
| [ promise to make some remarks IN expla-
nation Of the reasons which induced the
calling together Of the convention, as we'll
as regards the objects and purposes for
which we are convened. He said the calling
of a Democratic convention in advance Of
imnortant elections was always in order In
VIRGINIA. but it seems that the expectancy
of the present assemblage was opposed on
the mart of some Of our political leaders and
regarded by others as Of doubtful policy, not
hecause the election of next November will
NOT be of vast Importance from both the
State and national standpoint, but because
it was apprehended that certain differences
of oniuion might exist within the party Or
| ganization upon which the convention
would split and divide. If differences OF
opiuion existed among themselves, where
could they be better determined than by
the party itself III convention assembled
Far better would it be that these difieren-
ces of opinion should be discovered before
rather than after the election better would
| this discovery be than for us to have pre-
scented the spectacle of q candidate Of one
mart of the State running Oh one set OF
opinions and in ether sections candidate
in the field holding opposite views, both
claiming to belong to tbs democratic par
| ty. If such differences exist ans too radio
al to be reconciled within the organization,
the sooner known the better. A house Gil
yided against itself, we are told, cannot
stand, and no party, however strong, can
submit to be fired upon from both front and
rear. If party organization be necessary
to accomplish the desired political results
the views of the few must yield to the SEQ
timents of the many. a majority must con
troll in popular governments, Or the whole
theory of our institutions is wrong.
A CLAIM ON THE GENEAL GoyEnEsIENT.
tt should be remembered that the Yir.
| pinia which created the debt is not the Vir
Sinia of to-day. The Federal Government
bv force of arms to maintain the union Of
the States permitted the 6ismemberment OF
our original territory and gaze separate or
ganzation to large area and embraced IL
the limits of West Virginia by the estab
lishment of that State. BY the act OF einan'
cipation it destroyed other values which
Welded a large fund to the State treasury.
Virginia Ii the only one of the Southern
States which has been divided through the
action of the Federal Government as a
consequence of the war anlGng the States.
For that reason We have an equity against
the General Government for financial as
sistance in the liquidation of our ante bel
Utpa indebtedness which does not attach to
anv other Southern State. The opinion i:
entertained that Virginia has well-fouad-
ed claim against the United States Govern
ment. under the circumstances referred TO,
/ for RECOMMENDATION for the loss OF her terri
tory. and that she ought to receive for this
los of territory an equivalent in value o.
public lands.
a..-s---aa he LEGISLATURE ENDORSED,
Tn course of the Legislature at the re-
cen ira session, i'll declining to accept
til submitted by English bondhold.
erg u ugh their commissioners, is deserv-
| ing of he cordial endorsement Of cur peo-
pie. think it IS mistake on the part OF
| our officials TO entertain any doubt. We
had laid down the uHiaaatN'a, and could
not, in my Judgment, recede wits pT0giiety
| from its terms. The speaker said, iii his
opinion, it was instigated by shrewd spec
ulat 1rs TO find out how far the people could
be induced t. make further concessions in
their favor.
| THE RIODLEBEDGER BILL.
We hear individuals express tae GpinI 4
that the only way to get rid of the debt is
to pay it. Such views are visionary and
impracticable. How can the debt be paid
in the absence Of necessary money required
for the purpose? Where is the money to
come from? What property do we hold
whose assessed values would bear any such
!
! take any new departure on the State debt
question. The Democratic party stands
committed to abide by the legislation en-
bodied in the Riddleberger act. The State
is unable to do more, 1t should not do less.
1t would be unreasonable ana childish play
to refuse to pay simply because the anreas-
enable creditor refuses to accept the pay
ment of his debt.
NO CONTEST WITH THE UNITED STATES sU-
PREME COURT.
| 1t is great mistake to assume that the
Democratic party proposes to make p CON
test with the Supreme Court of the United
States The Supreme Court has made two
| decisions III conflict with each other in re-
gard to the eonstitutiouality of the legisla-
| ton on the snbject. The court has gone
out of its way TO set aaide the plain prOVis-
| ions of an amendment TO t;se constitution
as in conflict with another provision Of that
| instrument. The decision referred TO was
made by divided court, with a majority OF
only one Judge in favor Of the decision. lf
| our people will pay their current taxes in
money there is ROT tte slightest necessity
for any conflict with tie Supreme Court.
Surely the patriotism Of our citizens ought
to be equal to The requirements OF the oc-
casion. If their patriotism is thus mani
tested the trouble will settle itself, and we
viii really have nothing to fear in the fu-
tuYe.
WILLING 40 MEET TIE ISSUE.
Your committee were willing to meet the
issues referred to faithfully and ascertain
the sentiments of their principal. the BEN
ocratic party of Virginia. There was an
anotlaer reason which operated to influence
the decision eff tie committee. Heretofore
the organization vas effected and COM
mittee and a COMMITTEES appointed for sspe-
cial campaigns. We had lbeea selected to
do the campaign work of 1883. IS a'ia '32-
A convention was held each year. Success
full results followed at the elections in the
same order. No convention was held last
year. The result, fifty thousand Demo
Gratis remained at hGne or declined to vote
at the Congressional elections in Novem-
Der. I, as chairman, was noo 9illinS 10
take the responsibility of continc' ing ass s4-l-
portant campaign, BY virtue Of a commits
sion two years old, which had practically ex-
PRED. | desi.s TO look the party in the
PARTY in the face ard ste If L. fleans busi-